Sharon "Sherry" Metz

Sharon "Sherry" Metz, age 66 of Philip, S.D., died Saturday evening, June 25, 2011, at her home in Philip.

Sharon Lee Andersen was born July 23, 1944, in Chicago, Ill., the oldest of six children born to Carl H. and Marjorie (Ritchey) Andersen. She was raised in Highland, Ind., and graduated from Highland High School in 1962.

She met her husband, Peter Metz, at Madura's Dance Land in Whiting, Ind. They married in 1963 and were married for 48½ happy years. They started out their married lives together in East Chicago, Ind. After losing her own mother, Sherry and Pete took her youngest siblings and raised them as their own. They spent many years growing their large family in northwest Indiana. Together they started Metz Industrial Contractors, Inc., which they operated successfully for over 20 years. Later, Sherry started Fenix Systems, Inc., in Hammond, Ind., which, together with Pete, they operated until 2004.

They retired and moved to Dundee, Ore., Willamette Valley's wine country, where they lived on a beautiful vineyard for several years. In 2010, they moved to Philip to be closer to her sisters and her daughters.

Sherry loved to travel and experience new places and new people. She was a gracious, nonjudgmental, caring woman. She and Pete shared a most wonderful love story. Sherry will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She leaves a legacy of generosity and positivity for her children and grandchildren.

Sherry is survived by her husband, Peter, of Philip; her children, David of Sacramento, Calif., Daniel (Delonn) of Hammond, Ind., Christine Andrus of Philip, Amy (Dan) Kavicky of Carlton, Ore., her daughter/sister Marie (Dwight) Slovek of Philip, her son/brother, Russell of Greenville, Ind.; nine grandchildren Ryan, Taylor, Emma, Sayde, Rachel, Kierah, Gypsy, Romanee and Olivia; two sisters, Michele Andersen of Philip and Gwenn (Branko) Ilic of Hammond, Ind.; a brother, Stephen Anderssen of Bloomington, Ind.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Sherry was preceded in death by her mother and father.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 1, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, and one hour preceding the services on Saturday.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at the church, with Father Kevin Achbach as celebrant.